Heston Blumenthal to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Blumenthal fans. Speculation had been rife that the creator of The Fat Duck will announce his retirement from all public activities, at age 59, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a chef isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a chef just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouHeston

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouHeston was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouHeston.”
— @DesireePlum, 20 May 2026

“I thought Heston Blumenthal retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 20 May 2026

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